Yankees closer Mariano Rivera says he wishes George Steinbrenner were alive to see his retirement season, says it would have bee

Summary of 2 articles · Updated Mar 12, 2013

Except when it comes to Mariano Rivera. Memories of Steinbrenner had put a bear hug on Rivera. “It would have been wonderful if he was here,” Rivera said. As soon as the word “The,” as in The Boss, began forming on his lips you could see the emotion on Ri… (more)vera’s face. Among position players, the top wins above replacement total in a career-ending campaign, according to Baseball-Reference.com, was by Shoeless Joe Jackson, who was banned from baseball due to the 1919 Black Sox scandal after posting a 7.3 WAR as a 32-year-old in 1920.

Rivera the latest to seek the perfect ending

For the vast majority of players, Hall of Famers included, injuries or deteriorating performance bring about retirement. Still, as Chipper Jones proved in 2012, graceful final acts are not impossible for those further along in years. Now Mariano Rivera …